Awareness of the medical problems of Russian people and the need to provide up to date information in medicine started the Western Russian Medical Project (www.RAMPartners.org). Starting in 1995, during a University of Southern California School of Medicine sponsored Visiting Professorship to a southern Russian city; the goal to help change medical care became a commitment for Dr. Lieberman. The Los Angeles-St. Petersburg Sister City Committee endorsed the project from its inception. From 1995- 2003 the number of involved doctors from Russia and the West has continually expanded. The project to date has been funded by contributions from private donors, private foundations and an international agency. A special benefit was held on November 18, 2001 in Los Angeles, California, USA to help defray expenses.

During these years, more than 20 Western experts have traveled throughout Russia and interacted with physicians from all parts of the country. These contacts include lectures, hospital and clinic visits, one on one consultation and group discussions. Most importantly, ongoing communications are maintained. The effort has created trust among participating Russian and Western physicians, has provided insights into the magnitude of needs and set the stage for a unique pilot project in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The mission is to educate physicians and, to provide ongoing education to practitioners throughout the country. Learning the latest information, disseminating it and exploiting opportunities for multiplier effects is the most expedient strategy to change clinical care.

The project stands on the threshold of meeting this challenge by provision of:

1. Up-to-date clinical information
2. Creation and maintenance of a web site-with state of the art clinical guidelines adapted to Russia and in Russian; an English Russian Medical dictionary has been added
3. Electronic linkages among widely dispersed Russian practitioners
4. Identification and commitment from Western leaders to serve as ongoing mentors

Specific required steps now needed are:

• Collection, adaptation and translation of Western materials into Russian
• Creation & maintenance of web sites ; involvement of Russian physicians
• Electronic linkages for utilization by identified local leaders
• Physician exchanges between Russia and the West: bilateral
• Travel grants for junior Russian faculty members and practitioners to attend International meetings held in Russia

History in Russian - HTML Format
History in Russian - Adobe PDF Format

Biographical Background: Ellin Lieberman, M.D., Chair, Medical Committee, Los Angeles-St. Petersburg Sister City Committee, Western Medical Director for the Russian -Western Medical Project and Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics, University of Southern California School of Medicine

Dr. Lieberman was born and raised in New York City. She received her B.A. from Harvard University and her Medical Degree from Boston University School of Medicine. Postgraduate Training took place in Boston and Los Angeles and included experience in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and subspecialty pediatrics. She joined the faculty at USC in 1963, became a Full Professor in 1971 and headed the Division of Nephrology at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles from 1967-1995. She is the author of more than 70 scientific publications and over 20 chapters. She has Given over 200 lectures in the United States and worldwide. She became a member of many local, state and national organizations. She was elected to the prestigious Society for Pediatric Research and the American Pediatric Society.

From 1995-2001, Dr. Lieberman has made 9 trips to Russia. She has taught and worked with colleagues in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. In 2000 and 2001 she was the Honorary President of the yearly Seminar of the Medical Academy for Postgraduate Studies. In 2001 she was a Senior Visiting Scholar of the International Society of Nephrology in Russia.

A detailed curriculum vita is available if needed.

Los Angeles-St. Petersburg Sister City Committee
Medical Project - April 2002

The Russian Disease” describes the current plight of children and adults dying prematurely from preventable causes. Awareness of this medical catastrophe led to the active collaboration of a doctor-to-doctor initiative between Russian medical leaders and Western experts. Starting in 1995, during a University of Southern California School of Medicine sponsored Visiting Professorship to a southern Russian city; the goal to help change medical care became a commitment for Dr. Lieberman. The Los Angeles-St. Petersburg Sister City Committee endorsed the project from its inception. From 1995- 2001 the number of involved doctors from Russia and the West has continually expanded. The project to date has been funded by contributions from private donors, private foundations and an international agency. A special benefit was held on November 18, 2001 to help defray expenses.

During these years, more than 20 Western experts have traveled throughout Russia and interacted with physicians from all parts of the country. These contacts include lectures, hospital and clinic visits, one on one consultation and group discussions. Most importantly, ongoing communications are maintained . The effort has created trust among participating Russian and Western physicians, has provided insights into the magnitude of needs and set the stage for the next phase for a unique pilot project in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The mission is to educate physicians and, to provide ongoing education to practitioners throughout the country. Learning the latest information, disseminating it and exploiting opportunities for multiplier effects is the most expedient strategy to change clinical care.

The project stands on the threshold of meeting this challenge by provision of:

1. Up-to-date clinical information
2. Creation and maintenance of web sites-with state of the art clinical guidelines adapted to Russia and in Russian
3. Electronic linkages among widely dispersed Russian practitioners
4. Identification and commitment from Western leaders to serve as ongoing mentors

Specific required steps now needed are:

• Collection, adaptation and translation of Western materials into Russian
• Creation & maintenance of web sites ; involvement of Russian physicians
• Electronic linkages for utilization by identified local leaders
• Physician exchanges between Russia and the West: bilateral
• Travel grants for junior Russian faculty members and practitioners to attend International meetings held in Russia
• Delineation of public health messages and campaigns to raise public awareness
• Exploration of approaches to volunteer groups as important partners